Context matters. It’s something I end up saying a lot. This week on the podcast we check out how the context effects appraisal and understanding of video games.
The idea of this podcast came from the fact that we were and still are going to do a podcast on The Longest Journey. It has gotten pushed back several times, because it is a long game and not all of us had the time right at that moment. It’s coming. Meanwhile, since it is an older game, it was worthy asking about context. In this case historical context. We do eventually talk about historical context in game, after chatting through several other types: genre, conventions, aesthetic, narrative and what is acceptable to a given audience.
Context is generally something that is ignored, by everyone at one point or another. Everyone tries to rewrite reality to fit their own view and enforce their opinion, regardless of if it’s actually relevant or not in the specific case. Meaning hinges on the details, but it seems like, as a culture, we’re afraid of details and only want the big picture no matter how incomplete or falsified it is.
Anyway, you can listen to the podcast at PopMatters. Or add the RSS feed to your podcatcher.
“A mind forever voyaging through strange seas of thought alone.”